Being an executive assistant is a crucial role that keeps senior executives and business leaders running smoothly. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide guidance on how to write an effective executive assistant job description as well as examples you can use as templates. A well-written job description is important to attract qualified candidates and set clear expectations for the role. We'll outline the key sections to include and what information to cover in each. We'll also answer some frequently asked questions about the executive assistant position. By the end, you'll have a thorough understanding of how to write your own customized executive assistant job description to recruit top talent.
When writing an executive assistant job description, there are several important elements to include:
The job summary should be a one to two sentence high-level overview of the executive assistant role and what they will be responsible for. An example job summary is:
"The Executive Assistant is responsible for overseeing all administrative functions for senior executives including calendars, travel, expenses, communications and special projects to ensure their needs are met and priorities accomplished."
This section lists the core responsibilities and tasks that the executive assistant must be able to perform. Some common duties to include are:
Outline the minimum education, experience, skills, certifications, and personal attributes required for the role. Common qualifications include:
List any regular physical activities and requirements. For executive assistant roles, this section usually isn't applicable.
Typically an executive assistant will work in a fast-paced professional office setting, needing to be accessible as the executives they support often have varying schedules. Remote work may be an option depending on company policy.
Provide details on salary range, paid time off, health insurance and retirement benefits. Research average industry salaries for the location and level of experience required. Be transparent.
Include application instructions such as applying through a company website, submitting a resume and cover letter via email or mail.
Here are answers to some common questions about the executive assistant role:
Most executive assistants work full-time, Monday-Friday schedules of 40 hours per week, with flexibility to support executives' varying needs which may include occasional evening or weekend work. Flex-time is common.
While a bachelor's degree is strongly preferred, an associate's degree combined with relevant experience will qualify many candidates. Skills and qualifications are prioritized over degree requirements.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2023, the average annual salary for executive assistants in the United States is $56,000. However, salaries can range significantly based on factors like location, industry, company size and level of responsibility. More senior executive assistants at large organizations in high cost areas may earn over $80,000 annually.
Top performing executive assistants often advance into roles like office manager, executive coordinator, executive assistant to the CEO or C-level executive. Others transition into related fields like project coordination, event planning or human resources.
Here are two sample executive assistant job description templates to use as guides:
Job Summary:
The job description should focus on outlining the core responsibilities of the role, which typically include calendar management, scheduling, travel arrangements, communication handling, administrative tasks, and project support.